The biggest choice lays across her when Sofia Rivers - an orphaned girl falls in love with Draco Malfoy - the son of the man who has caused her so much pain. With Sirius Black, the closest thing to family she has warning her, how can this relationship work out? Both seem to want it to. But how can she trust him? Let alone, his father.

“Riddikulus” I mumbled as I reached the fat lady portrait. Seconds after, it opened, revealing a bright, orange room. A fire crackling away in the fire place.

There was no one out in the common room, except for a red haired, snoozing dreamily in one of the sofas.

I chuckled softly to myself.

I knew that George had always had a crush on me. Ever since my first year. I have some feelings for him as well, but I don’t want to lead him on. Just in case I wasn’t sure. I feel guilty sometimes as he always has this longing look in his eyes.

“Yeah.” I said, sitting down on the sofa next to him. “You can go into your dorm now.” I told him, smiling gratefully at him. He’d always been there for me and it seems like he always will be.

George groaned as he propped himself against the arm of the sofa. “Where you been?”

“Walking around, remember?” I said, tapping his head softly.

He rubbed his eyes.

“C’mon George, get to bed,” I got up, “I’m going up as well.”

I pulled George along, up towards the divide of the girls and boys dormitories.

“Good night, George.” I said as I started up the stairs towards the girls’ dormitories.

“Soph…” said George, grabbing my hand.

I turned back to look at him. “Yeah?”

For a while, George didn’t say anything. I thought he had gone back to sleep… with his eyes open.

“George?”

“Yeah, umm, Soph, I like you. I mean, I really like you.”

It took my brain a while to process what he had just said.

“Umm, well…” I paused; I didn’t know what to say. If I told him I liked him too, it would’ve been official. If I didn’t tell him, I would’ve hurt him and our friendship would end up being awkward. “I like you too George…”

He beamed. “Well… Uh…” then he kissed me quickly on the cheek. “Good night” He smiled broadly.

I smiled back, not sure what I’ve just done. “Night.” I said.

I was awoken by furious squeals.

“Whozzup?” I mumbled, bleary eyed. I rubbed my eyes to two girls jumping on to my bed.

“When did it happen?!” Hermione squealed.

“How’d he ask?!” That was unmistakably Ginny.

“What are you guys talking about?” I groaned, pulling myself out of my sheets.

I glanced at them and saw them exchanging an excited look.

As I had anticipated: “GEORGE!” they yelled together.

“Oh, you guys’ve heard about that already?”

“Well, he did let it… Slip.” said Hermione. Something about her voice told me that George did not just ‘slip’.

“Oh?”

Hermione became slightly nervous.

“You really should be getting ready.” said Ginny, “It’s almost 10,” she pointed at the clock.

“Crap!” I half screamed, scrambling out of bed as fast as I could.

First period was Potions with Snape in the dungeon. I felt myself shudder as thought of the lesson which was to come. Although, he didn’t really have a problem with me, he was unfair to the Gryffindors. Harry and Snape’s rocky relationship seemed to have ceased due to Snape being in the Order. But the tension’s still there.

I walked down the stairs and into the common room where Fred, Ron and Harry approached me, yelling questions out at me. George was near the back of the common room, looking extremely bashful.
“Guys, seriously, my story’s exactly the same as George’s. Let me get some breakfast.”

I ran down towards the Great Hall accompanied by Harry, Ron and Hermione. With only less than ten minutes left to spare, I wolfed down my bacon and eggs and along with Harry and co. ran down to the dungeons.

“Gosh, I feel sick.” I moaned, holding my stomach.

I looked up to a bunch of Slytherins laughing their heads off.
Pansy was laughing the loudest of the bunch. She shrieked with laughter then turned to look at me.

“What?” she sneered.

“What?” I replied, swallowing my regurgitated breakfast.

She walked up to me, steadily. My view flicked from Pansy to Draco, who was just leaning against the wall, not at all interested although he was looking.

“What?” I asked again.

No reply.

“If – ”

“I heard that that blood traitor asked you out? Is that true?” she spat ‘blood traitor’ out so fiercely that a few of her pools of spit landed on me.

I saw Ron shift slightly on the side.

I stared into her eyes. If there was someone that I hate, it would be her. I knew all this was just for show, she liked to show off in front of Malfoy and the other Slytherins. “So what if he did? At least I’m not the one who had to beg my boyfriend to ask me out.”

Everyone knew that Pansy was the one who had asked Malfoy out. Some rumours even state that she’s put him on the Imperius Curse. Doubt it though. She’s too thick to do that.

“Gosh, and you were that desperate to land a guy, that you accepted a worthless muggle lover?”

Zabini and Goyle guffawed. Later on, joined by Crabbe who seemed to have caught on a few minutes after.

Where’s Snape? I thought to myself, begging silently for him to come soon. I felt Ron move past me.

“Ron, don’t do anything.” I heard Hermione whisper, holding on to his arm, eyeing the Slytherins with fury.

“That’s only…” Fred and George looked at each other, “three months and three days close to our record.”

“Stop encouraging her.” Hermione glared at both Fred and George.

“C’mon Hermione, she couldn’t just sit back and let them say all that shit.” piped up Harry while I munched on my pie.

“What shit? And who?” asked George.

Hermione, Harry and I all exchanged looks.

“Pansy Parkinson. Insulted our family.” Ron said softly. My head turned towards Ron, who had been quiet all this time.

“What’d she say?” Fred asked, getting steely.

I looked at George, who looked back at me with a silent apology.

“She said you were a blood traitor, and that I was desperate to go out with you. All the usual shit like that” I said, with a sigh. I looked downhearted, staring at the table for a while. Then, I shook my head lightly and went back to eating.

“Well, if you don’t want to go out with me, I’m fine with that. I mean, I wouldn’t mind…” mumbled George, obviously looking upset and hurt.

“No, no. Of course I want to, George.” I smiled at him, and he his mouth lifted slightly.

“Well, looks like we’ll just have to get back at her.” Fred said, thumping Ron on the back, causing him to choke on the sandwich he was having.

No one offered to help Ron as he coughed. For a while, Ron continued to cough, making choking sounds until Harry finally decided to give in and slap his back.

“Thanks… guys.” he glared at Hermione and I, slowly recovering from his minor ‘near death’ experience.

How’s Hogwarts so far? I hope you’re not getting yourself into trouble. In times like these, I’m pretty sure you wouldn’t like to spend your nights in detention. What, with your exams coming up and all? Wouldn’t be wise.
Sofie, I’m sorry, but I have to keep this short. I think I’ve been caught out, here in London. Haven’t been paying the rent. So, I don’t think I’ll be staying in my mother’s house for long anymore. I couldn’t complain. K.S. is trying his best to give me an extension to pay it out but Dumbledore still thinks it is best for me to move. Hoping you can visit in the Christmas holidays, wherever my new ‘home’ would be.

Yours, Snuffles.

I re-read the letter a couple of times, then looked to Hermione who was behind my shoulder.

“Who do you…?” I asked her, slightly anxious for Sirius.

“Lucius Malfoy. Any bet.” she replied, looking behind her for any passerby’s.

I let out a long sigh. “Harry, what did he say to you?”

“That he can’t pay the rent…” he looked down at the letter thoughtfully.

“But he doesn’t pay rent?” Ron said, looking perplexed.

“He means that he’s been caught out.” I told him softly, making sure no one can over hear me.

“So, where’s he going now?” Fred asked, looking from me to Harry.

“Dunno yet.” Harry and I looked at each other. We were worried. If he’s caught, he would be placed under the Dementor’s Kiss for sure.

“I just hope Kingsley does persuade the ministry.” I mumbled quietly, although knowing that Lucius has a bigger influence on the Ministry.